With a simple cheese sauce that has cauliflower right in the mix to help thicken, this healthy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is a fast weeknight lunch or dinner option for toddlers. (And the rest of the family too!)
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
By adding the cauliflower right to the cheese sauce, we’re able to tuck a veggie right into the sauce without having to make a side dish to go with dinner. And while I’m not a huge fan of sneaking veggies into the food that our kids eat, I love using cauliflower in the cheese sauce since it acts as a thickener without the need to use a flour-based roux…which can be tricky to make with a little one underfoot!
Ingredients in Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
To make this recipe you’ll need pasta, cauliflower, cheddar cheese, milk, butter, and a pinch of garlic powder. I usually buy blocks of cheese and grate the cheese since it tends to be less expensive, but you can use purchased grated cheese if you prefer.
How to Make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Step-by-Step
Here’s a look at the process involved in how to make this quick Cauliflower Mac and Cheese recipe.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until soft when poked with a fork.
- Use a fine-mesh strainer or slotted spoon to remove the cauliflower and add to a blender. Add the milk, cheese, butter, salt, and garlic powder. Blend until smooth.
- Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water from Step 1 and cook according to package directions. Drain and return to the pot.
- Stir the cheese sauce into the pasta and serve warm.
Can I make this mac and cheese ahead of time?
If you want to make this Cauliflower Mac and Cheese ahead, I’d recommend making the cheese sauce and storing it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook the pasta. You can make it up to 3 days ahead of time if you store it in an airtight container. Warm the sauce for 15-30 seconds in the microwave and stir into the cooked and drained pasta.
What kind of pasta is best for this healthy Mac and Cheese?
You can use whichever pasta you want! We like star pasta, alphabet pasta, elbows, and any other smaller shape of pasta in this easy toddler dinner.
Are there any other veggies that work besides Cauliflower?
You can make a similar mac and cheese with butternut squash instead of the cauliflower if you prefer. It’s a nice bright orange color and is super delish too.
I’d love to hear your feedback if you make this recipe, so please comment below!
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Use yellow or white cheese according to your child’s color expectations!
Ingredients
- 1 small head cauliflower, stem discarded and chopped into small pieces (about 4 cups)
- 2/3 cup milk. warmed slightly
- 1 pound elbow or other mini pasta shape
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- pinch garlic powder
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until soft when poked with a fork.
- Use a fine-mesh strainer or slotted spoon to remove the cauliflower and add to a blender. Add the milk, cheese, butter, salt, and garlic powder. Blend until smooth.
- Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water from Step 1 and cook according to package directions. Drain and return to the pot.
- Stir the cheese sauce into the pasta and serve warm.
Notes
You can make the cheese sauce up to 3 days ahead and store it in an airtight container. Warm for 15-30 seconds in the microwave before stirring into the pasta.
Use whichever kind of pasta your family likes best.
I usually buy blocks of cheese and grate the cheese since it tends to be less expensive, but you can use purchased grated cheese if you prefer.
Omit the garlic powder if you’re at all worried that the kids may not like it.
Stir the sauce into the pasta right before serving.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Warm for 30-60 seconds in the microwave to serve.
Can I just check if this recipe is suitable to freeze.
I wouldn’t freeze it, but you can make the sauce 3-5 days ahead and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Once ready, prepare the pasta, warm the sauce slightly, and stir it together.
Great recipe!!!!….although you might want to suggest an organic, whole grain pasta or shirataki noodles instead of the white pastas you’ve mentioned above. Eating white pasta is like eating a bowl full of sugar, making your cauliflower Mac and cheese very unhealthy. Thanks!!!
For the record, I didn’t see anywhere where she specifically recommended white pastas. The choice is always yours- we use whole wheat or lentil for most dishes and they’ve worked great with her recipes. Thanks Amy, for another great dish!
I’m glad you enjoyed it Liz!
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